Organised since 1994 by the PDC it has always been held in probably the most attractive darts venue in the world, the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Always warm or should we say hot, and always filled with enthusiastic crowds. The tournament is played over legs, not sets as in most others. The most surprising winner of any event in the last 15 years is the first winner. Larry Butler from the USA has his career highlight lifting the trophy in 1994. As is common in all PDC events, Taylor’s name appears on it most, no less than 12 times his name is engraved in the trophy, of which 5 times in row between 2000 and 2004. Rod Harrington, two years PDC No.1 has won the event twice in 1998 and 1999. The World Matchplay was organised by the BDO in the 80’s as the MFI, but only shares its name as it is not the same event, therefore it has not been included in the stats. One thing to mention of course is John Lowe’s 9 darter, as he was the first ever player to do this on TV in the 1984 MFI World Matchplay. Raymond van Barneveld has been the best Dutch player in the tournament, reaching the final in 2010. Roland Scholten reaches the semi final in 2006.